Ishigaki – Kohama
Ferries to Okinawa
Ishigaki – Kohama
Ferries to Okinawa
The Ishigaki Kohama ferry route connects Okinawa with Okinawa. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Yaeyama Kanko Ferry. The crossing operates up to 42 times each week with sailing durations from around 30 minutes.
Ishigaki Kohama sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.
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Surrounded on all sides by the baby-blue surf of the East China Sea, Ishigaki is the very definition of a paradise island. The second-largest of the volcanic Yaeyama islands in the southernmost reaches of Japan, Ishigaki is blessed with a rear-round warmth, rolling hills covered in lush swathes of tropical woodland, and broad stretches of gold-sand beaches that skirt along the coast. Despite its undeniable appeal, the island has managed to preserve its peaceful and laid-back atmosphere away from the bustle of tourism; it’s soothing soundtrack composed of nothing more than the hum of wildlife and the gentle lapping of waves upon the shore. The island’s rough-shaped coastline is pitted with bays perfect for watersports, with diving, snorkelling and surfing the most popular forms of recreational activity. With much of the surrounding sea protected by a national park, the stunning world beneath the waves thrives with rare marine life. Those who want to view the underwater scene without getting their feet wet can hop on a glass-bottomed boat in Kabira Bay instead. The region’s port is found in Ishigaki city on the south-western coast of the island. It is a lively facility of small jetties and piers neatly separated into small, square inlets that stretch across the seafront. The ferry terminal can be found on the edge of the city’s Misakicho district. It is a relatively large facility with plenty of passenger amenities including an indoor waiting hall; a pay-phone; vending machines selling food and drink; and a busy, on-site taxi-rank. Due to its central city location, travelling to and from the port is simple. Buses and coaches leave from stops directly outside the terminal and whisk passengers to the island’s main sightseeing spots, including the various beach-lined bays and the verdant slopes of Bannadake mountain. Though there are plenty of narrow, rural roads that weave across the heart of the island, the most accessible route for motorists unfamiliar with the local surroundings is the 390 highway. This long roadway passes by the island’s regional airport as it traces Ishigaki’s undulating southern coast. A host of ferry routes currently leave from the city port on a daily basis. Services hosted by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Ishigaki Dream Tours sail short journeys west to the ports of Ohara and Uehara on Iriomote Island, as well as to the islands of Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima and Hatoma.
Situated at the southwestern end of the Ryuyku Islands chain, Kohama Island is part of the Yaeyama Island group belonging to Japan. The port is found on the northeast coast of the island, and remains one of the busiest parts of Kohama, especially during the summer months. The island itself achieved relative fame when noughties TV show, Churasan, was filmed there, though it received poor ratings and was quickly axed. Due to the lack of an airport, the only plausible way onto the island is via ferry, which can be reached in around 30 minutes from neighbouring islands. Kohama has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years, but with a population of just over 500 permanent residents, there is a relative lack of attractions. What the island lacks in entertainment it makes amends with in natural beauty; whole days can be spent just wondering around admiring the stunning landscapes and surroundings islands. There is a taxi company which is primarily used to transport passengers from the centre of the island to the port area, but it is worthwhile negotiating a price before entry. For the more adventurous, there is a rental scooter company just across from the ferry terminal, making for quick travel around Kohoma’s hills and mountains.
